Charles Tillman’s quest to become FBI agent is noble and natural

Two autographed NFL helmets sit on a shelf inside the home office of retired U.S. Marshal Kim Widup — a Washington helmet adorned with the name of Robert Griffin III and a Chicago helmet bearing the name of Charles “Peanut” Tillman.

The connection?

Without question, the athletes are two of the most famous to graduate from Widup’s alma mater, Copperas Cove (Texas) High. And reports last week that Tillman is training to become an FBI agent has the former lead investigator in the Whitewater investigation smiling at the signatures with pride once again.

Like most football fans, Widup has been on the lookout for more details about Tillman since the Chicago Tribune first reported the 13-year cornerback is in the rigorous 20-week program at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. And Widup is not surprised in the least that Tillman’s wife, Jackie, answered a Sporting News text by responding, “We aren’t confirming the story right now and he isn’t doing any press as of now. Thank you!”

According to Widup, that’s just part of protocol.

“I’m sure that while he’s at the academy, the FBI has said, ‘Don’t be talking to people,'” Widup told Sporting News. “Even when I was undergoing the confirmation to become a U.S. Marshal, I was told, ‘Hey, look, you haven’t been confirmed yet, you’ve just been nominated. You don’t need to be talking to people. Just refer them back to the White House.'”

A 38-year law enforcement veteran who now teaches classes and does consulting work…Read More